1 2 3 Jerzy Konikowski Uwe Bekemann

Openings Open Games read – understand – play

Joachim Beyer Verlag 4 Imprint

ISBN 978-3-95920-975-5 1. Edition 2018 © by Joachim Beyer Verlag All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Joachim Beyer Verlag is the trademark of Schachverlag Ullrich, Zur Wallfahrtskirche 5, 97483 Eltmann, Germany. Translation: Lothar Nikolaiczuk Publisher: Robert Ullrich Table of Contents 5

Explanation of Symbols ...... 7

Preface ...... 8

Introduction...... 10

Chapter 1: The ...... 15

Chapter 2: The Danish ...... 20

Chapter 3: The ’s Opening ...... 25

Chapter 4: Alapin’s Opening ...... 29

Chapter 5: The ’s Gambit ...... 32 Line 1: The King’s Gambit Accepted ...... 35 Line 2: The King’s Gambit Declined ...... 41 Line 3: The Falkbeer Counter-Gambit ...... 43

Chapter 6: The ...... 46

Chapter 7: The Philidor Defense ...... 53

Chapter 8: The Latvian Gambit...... 58

Chapter 9: The ’s Counter-Gambit ...... 61

Chapter 10: The Petrov Defense ...... 64

Chapter 11: The Three Knights Game ...... 70

Chapter 12: The ...... 73

Chapter 13: The ...... 77

Chapter 14: The ...... 80

Chapter 15: The ...... 87 Line 1: 4.d3 ...... 93 Line 2: 4.d4 ...... 94 6 Table of Contents

Chapter 16: The ...... 99

Chapter 17: The ...... 105

Chapter 18: The ...... 109

Chapter 19: The ...... 111 The Berlin Defense ...... 112 The Classical Line ...... 116 The Jänisch Gambit ...... 120 Bird’s Defense ...... 125 The Steinitz Defense ...... 126 The Cozio Defense ...... 127 The Smyslov Defense ...... 128 Continuation of the main line - 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 ...... 128 The Variation ...... 128 Continuation of the main line - 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ...... 132 The Closed Variation ...... 136 The Open Variation ...... 141 The Arkhangelsk Variation ...... 145 The Marshall Attack ...... 149

Bibliography ...... 156 Explanation of Symbols 7

! a good move

!! an excellent move

? a weak move

?? a

!? an interesting move

?! a dubious move

+- White has a decisive advantage

-+ Black has a decisive advantage

± White stands better

µ Black stands better

² White stands slightly better

³ Black stands slightly better

= equal

÷ unclear; with chances for both sides

© with for the material deficit

… with the idea or intention

¹ better is x takes

+

# mate 8

Preface

Nowadays a whole public library could easily be filled with opening literature. But how does this help a player, who - for whatever reason - cannot afford to buy and/or work through dozens of titles? By offering him this book, which is the first of a small series, we want to cover his basic need for opening information. Our focus is primarily on players of the following categories: 1. Beginners, who already have a good command of the rules and know the basics of a proper game, and who now need the basic equipment for an orientation in the world of chess openings. 2. Players, who already have some experience, but see a deficit especially in the area of openings, and who want to overcome that deficit quickly and without exaggerated effort. 3. Hobby players, who want to make themselves familiar with certain openings to a degree that enables them to play interesting and entertaining games. This book is dedicated to the so-called ‘Open Games’ which arise after the initial moves 1.e4 e5. For example such renowned and important openings as the ‘Ruy Lopez’, the ‘Four Knights Game’ or the ‘King’s Gambit’, to name only a few. Each of the 19 chapters covers a specific opening and provides the reader with sufficient information according to the concept described above. We attach great importance to the presentation of ideas and plans that are inherent in an opening. Therefore, we occasionally even explain the reason for certain seemingly self evident moves, if we think it necessary. Not only shall the reader be enabled to play the right move, but also to understand exactly why this is the right move. Only then will he be able to play his openings with sense and understanding, instead of just reproducing the lines learned by heart without understanding them. And only then can he keep the guidelines in mind, even if the game leaves the usual way. We have done our best to avoid repetition. For example, if we have already explained the meaning of a move in one line, we will not repeat the explanation if the move appears in a similar position. It is therefore advisable to work through the chapters from the beginning and to proceed chronologically in chapters with more than one line. And finally, one more word about how we have chosen the material. We have basically recorded everything that is considered playable. Within the different lines, we have always looked for promising possibilities to leave the well-trodden Preface 9 paths. Thereby we want to enable the readers to pose problems to their opponents in practice by surprising them with something they are (hopefully) unfamiliar with. Because well-prepared surprises increase the chances of success and increase the fun!

We hope you enjoy our book and have fun and success in your games! If we can help you a little to achieve your goals, our work has been worthwhile. 10 Introduction

The initial moves 1.e4 e5 lead to the Chapter 2: so-called ‘Open Games’ which are the subject of our book. They are present- The ed in the following order. 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+-+-+-+0 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-+-+-0 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-pP+-+0z 3+-+-+-+-0 3+-P-+-+-0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 2PP-+-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s xabcdefghy xabcdefghy

Chapter 1: Chapter 3: The Center Game The Bishop’s Opening 1.e4 e5 2.d4 1.e4 e5 2.¥c4 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+-+-+-+0 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-PP+-+0z 4-+L+P+-+0 3+-+-+-+-0 3+-+-+-+-0 2PPP+-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s 1RNt LQv K-m NR0s xabcdefghy xabcdefghy Introduction 11

Chapter 4: Chapter 6: Alapin’s Opening The Vienna Game 1.e4 e5 2.¤e2 1.e4 e5 2.¤c3 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+-+-+-+0 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-+P+-+0 3+-+-+-+-0 3+-N-+-+-0s 2PPPz PNz PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KL+R0m 1R-t LQv KLm NR0s xabcdefghy xabcdefghy

Chapter 5: Chapter 7: The King’s Gambit The Philidor Defense 1.e4 e5 2.f4 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 d6 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz p-+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+-p-+-+0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+PP-+0z 4-+-+P+-+0 3+-+-+-+-0 3+-+-+N+-0 2PPPz P-+Pz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s 1RNt LQv KL+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy 12 Introduction

Chapter 8: Chapter 10: The Latvian Gambit The Petrov Defense 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 f5 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤f6 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8rnls qkw l-v r0t 7ppz pp+-z pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+-+-n-+0s 5+-+-pp+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-+P+-+0 3+-+-+N+-0 3+-+-+N+-0 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KL+R0m 1RNt LQv KL+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy

Chapter 9: The Queen’s Pawn Chapter 11: Counter-Gambit The Three Knights Game 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 d5 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¤c3 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 8r+lqkw lnv r0t 7ppz p-+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 6-+n+-+-+0 5+-+pp-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-+P+-+0 3+-+-+N+-0 3+-N-+N+-0s 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KL+R0m 1R-t LQv KL+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy Introduction 13

Chapter 12: Chapter 14: The Four Knights Game The Scotch Game 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¤c3 ¤f6 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8r+lqkw l-v r0t 8r+lqkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+n+-n-+0s 6-+n+-+-+0 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-PP+-+0z 3+-N-+N+-0s 3+-+-+N+-0 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 2PPP+-z PPz P0z 1R-t LQv KL+R0m 1RNt LQv KL+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy

Chapter 13: Chapter 15: The Ponziani Opening The Two Knights Defense 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.c3 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 ¤f6 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8r+lqkw lnv r0t 8r+lqkw l-v r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+n+-+-+0 6-+n+-n-+0s 5+-+-p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+-+P+-+0 4-+L+P+-+0 3+-P-+N+-0z 3+-+-+N+-0 2PP-z P-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv KL+R0m 1RNt LQv K-+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy 14 Introduction

Chapter 16: Chapter 18: The Italian Game The Hungarian Defense 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 ¥c5 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 ¥e7 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8r+lqk+nw r0t 8r+lqk+nw r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz ppz lpv pp0z 6-+n+-+-+0 6-+n+-+-+0 5+-l-v p-+-0z 5+-+-p-+-0z 4-+L+P+-+0 4-+L+P+-+0 3+-+-+N+-0 3+-+-+N+-0 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv K-+R0m 1RNt LQv K-+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy

Chapter 17: Chapter 19: The Evans Gambit The Ruy Lopez 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 ¥c5 4.b4 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 8r+lqk+nw r0t 8r+lqkw lnv r0t 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+n+-+-+0 6-+n+-+-+0 5+-l-v p-+-0z 5+L+-p-+-0z 4-PL+P+-+0z 4-+-+P+-+0 3+-+-+N+-0 3+-+-+N+-0 2P+PP-z PPz P0z 2PPPz P-z PPz P0z 1RNt LQv K-+R0m 1RNt LQv K-+R0m xabcdefghy xabcdefghy Chapter 1 – The Center Game 15

dogmatic considerations as those be- Chapter 1 hind the aforementioned ‘basic chess The Center Game rule’. As a matter of fact, there are some openings and certain systems 1.e4 e5 2.d4 in which the queen is quickly activat- XIIIIIIIIY ed to launch an attack. 8rnls qkw lnv r0t Before we continue, let’s clarify the 7ppz pp+pz pp0z meaning of the term ‘gambit’. A gam- bit is an opening line in which one side 6-+-+-+-+0 sacrifices a pawn (or even two - or 5+-+-p-+-0z even a whole piece) to gain a posi- 4-+-PP+-+0z tional advantage. We will introduce 3+-+-+-+-0 some later on. 2PPP+-z PPz P0z 2...exd4 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s Taking the pawn is a principled reac- xabcdefghy tion. Some players prefer 2...¤c6, whereafter things can develop in a dif- White energetically attacks the op- ferent way. For example, 3.¤f3 would posing pawn on e5 and threatens to take it. This is how the Center Game lead to the ‘Scotch Game’ which we arises. The immediate push of the d- will look at in Chapter 14. White can pawn accelerates the events in the also choose two other interesting con- central area. If things develop normally, tinuations. the pawn will be taken, and the white A) 3.dxe5 ¤xe5 4.f4 ¤g6 queen takes back. Since it is then ex- Up to this point, Black cannot deviate posed early on, Black can play ¤b8- well from the text moves. c6 to gain a by attacking it. 5.¤f3 ¥c5 However, White has the following sim- ple plan in mind: If Black attacks the Black wants to develop quickly and queen with ¤b8-c6, it retreats to e3. disturb his opponent’s efforts. The dark squared bishop goes to d2, 6. ¥c4 and after the following 0-0-0 White is The bishop attacks the weak spot in ready to take action against the op- the opposing camp: the pawn on f7. posing position. Choosing the Center Black must now be very cautious. Game, White actually violates the fol- lowing basic chess rule: Don’t devel- (However, White can also play 6.¤c3 op the queen before the light pieces first, which can lead to the same po- have been brought into play. However, sitions by of moves: e.g. modern opening theory deals with 6...d6 7.¥c4 followed by £d1-e2, these problems flexibly, excluding ¥c1-d2 and 0-0-0.) 16 Chapter 1 – The Center Game

6...c6 7.¤c3 £e7 4...¤f6 Both sides continue their efforts to By attacking the white e-pawn, Black bring their forces into play and to seize forces his opponent to make a pro- as much influence as possible. tective move. 8. £e2 d6 9.f5 5.f3 (The position after 9.¥d2 b5 10.¥d3 ¤f6 The following moves show an exam- 11.0-0-0 0-0 is rather sharp. A posi- ple of how both sides can bring their tion is characterized as ‘sharp’ if a sin- forces into play. gle move can already lead to serious 5...¤g6 6.£d2 h6 7.¤e2 ¥e7 8.¤bc3 changes, and if both sides can steer d6 9.0-0-0 a6 10.h4 c5 11.g4 the game in a different direction by means of quick actions. However, at It’s easy to see that White has a strong the same time both sides have to make on the king side. The term sure not to lose their influence. And ‘initiative’ signifies the ability to influ- they have to be very careful to keep ence and shape the events. In the fi- the opponent from seizing the initia- nal position, however, Black can ob- tive. In the given position a sharp play tain counter play on the other side with can be expected with White becoming 11...b5. The play is complicated and active on the right side by means of sharp. h2-h3 and g2-g4 - and his opponent XIIIIIIIIY on the other by means of a7-a5-a4, b5-b4 etc.) 8rnls qkw lnv r0t 9...¤e5 10.¤xe5 dxe5 11.¥e3 7ppz pp+pz pp0z 6-+-+-+-+0 Now White will soon play 0-0-0 and obtain good prospects. Black has yet 5+-+-+-+-0 to set his plan, and he can aim for ei- 4-+-pP+-+0z ther the short or the long castle. 3+-+-+-+-0 B) The second good continuation 2PPP+-z PPz P0z starts with 3.d5. The white pawn jos- 1RNt LQv KLm NR0s tles the opposing and forces it to leave its place. Therefore, Black xabcdefghy loses some time and cannot continue 3.£xd4 the important development of his forc- Taking with the queen consolidates the es. At the same time, the white d-pawn central position. A very sharp contin- invades Black’s camp, disturbs the uation is the material 3.c3!? opponent and wins some space for the - the so-called ‘Danish Gambit’. We pieces. will have a closer look at it in Chapter 3...¤ce7 4.¥e3 2. A good development move. 3...¤c6 Chapter 1 – The Center Game 17

A logical answer. Black brings his 6.£e4 d5! with very good play for queen knight into play and threatens Black. the white queen, which must therefore 5...¥b4 give up its dominating central place. This is the most logical continuation. XIIIIIIIIY Black pins the opponent’s knight and 8r+lqkw lnv r0t intends to castle right away. Then the 7ppz pp+pz pp0z on f8 moves to e8 and puts pres- 6-+n+-+-+0 sure on the pawn on e4. 5+-+-+-+-0 After the alternative 5...¥e7, the reply 6.¥d2 would be little ambitious be- 4-+-QP+-+0w cause Black could counterattack in the 3+-+-+-+-0 center by means of 6...d5!=. There- 2PPP+-z PPz P0z fore, White should develop the other 1RNt L-v KLm NR0s bishop and play 6.¥c4. xabcdefghy 6.¥d2 4.£e3 The bishop unpins the knight and could take back on c3 in case of ¥b4xc3. In This is the best reaction and a part of addition, White sticks to his plan by White’s plan that we have already an- preparing the long castle. nounced further above. After the al- ternative 4.£a4, Black has greater 6...0–0 chances to equalize than after our rec- The king’s safety is a very important ommendation. The following exempla- asset in a game of chess. Black takes ry line illustrates how to do so. the correct decision if he first castles 4...¤f6 5.¥g5 ¥e7 6.¤c3 0–0 7.¤f3 d6 before taking any other actions. He now 8.0–0–0 ¥d7 plans the typical central push d7-d5!. Black can be satisfied with his posi- 7.0–0–0 tion. White has completed the development 4...¤f6 of his queenside and secured his king. Now he can try to attack the oppo- A good choice! It’s important to speed nent’s king with moves like ¥f1–c4 and up the development of the pieces. £e3–g3. 4...¥b4+ 5.¤c3 transposes to the main line and is thus also playable. 5.¤c3 White also strives for rapid develop- ment, focusing on the queen side, though. The tempting move 5.e5 is not recommended because of 5...¤g4